The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-06-02
MISSIONARY RIDGE.
VIVID PEN PICTURE OF THE
FEDERAL ASSAULT.
The Union Troops Charging up
the Hill at Bragg's Intrench-
ments Without Orders
The Result.


The Army of the Cumberland at Chat
tanooga, in the Century, we quote the
following: Between Orchard Knob
and Missionary Ridge was valley, partly
covered with small growth of timber
1t was wooded in front of the right of
Baird's and of the whole of Woods divi-
sion. In front of Sheridan's and John
sons it had been almost entirely cleared
at the foot of the ridge were heavy rifle
pits, which could be seen from Orchard
Knob, and extending in front of them
for four or five hundred yards, the ground
was covered with felled trees. There
was good plain for both direct and
enflading fire from the rile-pits, and
the approaches were commanded by the
enemys artillery. At this point the
ridge is five or six hundred feet high.
Its Sides scored with gullies, and show
ing but little timber, had rough and
bare appearance. Halfway up was an
other line of rihe-pits, and the summit
was furrowcd with additional lines, and
dotted over with epaulemeats, in which
were placed fifty pieces of artillery. The
art of man could not have made stronger
fortress, Directly in front of Orchard
Knob, and on the summit of the ridge,
was small house, where Bragg estab-
ished his headquarters.
"At twenty minutes before the sig
nal guns were fired. Suddenly 20, 900
men rushed forward, moving in line of
battle by brigades, with double line of
skirmishers in front, and closely followed
by the reserves in mass. The big siege
guns in the Chattanooga forts roared
above the light artillery and musketry in
the valley. The encmy's rife-pits were
ablaze, and the whole ridge in our front
had broken out like another Etna. Not
many minutes afterward our men were
seen working through the felled trees and
other distractions. Though exposed to
such terrific fire, they neither fell back
nor halted. BY bold and desperate
push they broke through the works in
several places, and opened flank and re-
verse fires. The enemy was thrown into
confusion, and took precipitatc fight up
the ridge. Many prisoners and large
number of small arms were captured
The order of the Commanding General
had now been fully and most successfully
carried out. But it did not go far enough
to satisfy these brave men, who thought
the time had come to finish the battle OF
Chickamauga. There was a halt of but a
few minutes to take breath and to re-
form lines; then, with sudden impulse,
all started up the side of the ridge. Not
a commanding officer had given the
order to advance. The men who carried
the muskets had taken the matter into
their own hands, and moved OF
their own accord. Officers, catching
their spirit, first followed, ther
led. There was no thought of protectins
tanks, though the enemy's line could b.
seen, stretching beyond on eiter side
there was no thought of support, Or re-
'ervcs
las soon as this movement was seer
from Orchard Knob Grant quickly turned
to Thomas, who stood by his side, and
heard him angrily say: Thomas, wht
ordered those men up the ridge?' Thomas
REPLIED in his usual slow, quiet manner
4 don't know; l did not Then ad
dressing General Gordon Granger, 1t
said: Did you order them up, Granger3
No. said Granger; they started III
without orders. When those fellows ge
started, all hell can't stop them Gen
eral Grant said something to me to tn,
effect that somebody would suffer if i
did not turn out we'll and then, turnn.
round, stoically watched the ridge II
gave no further orders.
Gas soon as Granger had replied t,
Thomas, he turned to me, his chief
staff, and said: Ride at once to Woo
and then to Sheridan, and ask them j
if they ordered their men up tn
ridge, and tell them, if they can take it
to push ahead As I was mounting
Granger added: 1T is hot over there
and you may not get through. l shal
send Captain Avery to Sheridan, an
other officers after both of YOU As fas
as my horse cold carry me, rode first t
General Wood, and delivered the mes
sage. 4 didn't order them up sal
Wood; they started up on their own az
count, and they are going up, too! TIE
Granger, if we are supported, we wi
take and hold the ridgen As soon as
reached General Wood, Captain Aver
got to General Sheridan, and delivere
his message. I didn't order thel
up said Sheridan; but we al
going to take the ridge
He then asked Avery for his flask an
waved it at group of Confederate off
GERS standing just in front of Bragg
headquarters, with the salutation, Here
at your At once two guns-the Lad
Breckenridge and the Lady Buckner'-
in front of Bragg's headquarters we
fred at Sheridan and the group of office
about him. One shell struck SO near as
throw dirt over Sheridan and Aver
'Ahl' said tie General, that is ungene
Gus shall take those guns for that
Before Sheridan received the MESA,
taken by Captain Avery, he had sent
staff officer to Granger, to inqui
whether the order given to axe the riff
pits meant the rifie-pits at the base,
those on the top of the ridge@ Gran9
told this officer that the order given "
to take those at the base. Conceivi